Today when many of our Japanese, North American, European as well as Australian cars comes with Automatic Transmission, it is important that we understand the basics and `know how’ of the Automatic Transmission Fluid. Automatic transmission fluid refers to the fluid inside the gear box or the transmission of the car with automatic transmissions. It is usually a red or green colored fluid to differentiate it from motor oil or other fluids inside the vehicle. Commonly, there is a dip stick available to check the level of the AFT (Automatic Fluid Transmission). It is a greasy and waxy liquid that performs the action of a lubricant for all the moving parts inside your vehicles gearbox or the transmission. This liquid is a highly specialized oil escalated for the exclusive use of transmission like the brake band friction, torque converter, valve operation and the mainly the gear lubrication. AFT is used in some of the manual modern transmissions also as well as in some of the power assisted steering systems as a hydraulic fluid.
Like any other machines, a vehicle also is a machine which consists of a power source and a power transmission system. So, this AFT, a viscous fluid acts as a coolant for the transmission also transfers power from the engine to the transmission. AFT are mainly for the Automatic Transmissions. Sometimes, manual transmissions also use AFT, but mainly they are designed for regular motor oils or heavy weight hypoid oil. Your vehicles manual will tell you about the type of oil are used in your transmission.
Some of the main functions of AFT are as follows:
1.Most important functions of AFT are the production of the Hydraulic Power. The liquid produces power that is used to operate the valves controlling pressure, regulating the shifting and functioning of the pistons and servos that engage the clutches. During the time of service, all of the fluids perform their job equally well. All of these basic functions require hydraulic power that is bestowed by Automatic Fluid Transmission.
2.The lubricating qualities of AFT are pretty inferior to the motor oil which is much more viscous than AFT. But due to its low viscosity, some Synthetic AFTs have higher standards of cold flow properties so they are used to prevent the adverse effects that cold temperatures can have on our cars. It lubricates the transmission gears and clutches.
3.It acts as a coolant. It cools the inner parts of the transmission. Heat is a natural byproduct of automatic transmission. AFT reduces the heat and thereby increases the life of the transmission.
4.It’s never wastage, here’s how. When the Automatic transmission is not in use and the vehicle is not in use, it gets flowed and stored in the automatic transmission pan which is a metal holding basin situated under the car. When vehicle is again started, the automatic transmission engages and the stored AFT begins to circulate inside the transmission.
There are some important points one should keep in mind when it comes to AFT maintenance:Tag:
•Your manufacturer’s manual will recommend you to change the AFT in a particular time interval. Mostly it is after 60,000- 100,000 miles. You can also change it as often you would feel. Many mechanics say that it should be replaced after every 50,000 miles and those 60,000 miles is too long distance.
•This changing of fluid is important because AFT has the property of deteriorating itself similar to many other automotive fluids. Some factors like the heavy loading, frequent stop and go city driving, carrying trailers and harsh and hard use can accelerate the process of deterioration. Changing the AFT can increase the life span of automatic transmission.
•Instead of lubricating your transmission with AFT, you are likely to lubricate it with contaminants and the metal shavings if you don’t regularly change your AFT leading to again shortening the transmissions life. You can say that changing AFT is a good investment if you are preventing a big payment to your mechanic.
•It is recommended to keep checking the level of your AFT in between the intervals of service. When you drive with a low transmission fluid in your transmission, there is a decreased or no transmission (of hydraulic power) at all. It can cause no lubrication and thereby destroy the internal parts of your transmission. You will hear some noises or get other clues that the AFT is low. It is always better to take preventive measures than to get a big hole in your pocket one day when you will have to pay a big amount to your mechanic.
